Experience With Under-Performing Schools, Commitment to Student Assignment Among Criteria for Next JCPS Superintendent

The search for a new superintendent for Jefferson County Public Schools has reached another level.

The school board met with the McPherson and Jacobson search firm Monday and established a set of criteria for the next leader. The list includes a commitment to student assignment and experience with urban schools and underperforming schools.

“They really did have a lot of good qualities that they were looking for—a lot of things that are going to be specific to Jefferson County and it certainly is going to give us a clear direction of what we need to do in our recruiting efforts,” says firm owner Thomas Jacobson.

Jacobson says the position will be widely advertised.

“We’ll be posting this position at all colleges and universities across the United States that offer educational leadership degrees. It’ll go to websites on state school board and state administrators associations. It will be advertised on the American Association of School Administrators website, in Education Week and on our own website,” he says.

Jacobson expects to find a replacement for current Superintendent Sheldon Berman by July. Last year, the board voted not to renew Berman’s contract beyond the end of June.